Three Pigeons Inn

The Three Pigeons Inn is a traditional pub with accommodation located in Graigfechan, near Ruthin in Denbighshire, Wales. It is a small, independently run hospitality business rather than a chain or corporate brand. The pub occupies a site with a long history: according to its own account, a drover's alehouse and stead has stood there since the 12th century, and the present building was rebuilt in 1777. Local legend holds that the Welsh prince Owain Glyndwr stopped at the 'Pigeons' on his way to parliament in Machynlleth. The inn's name is of uncertain origin; one popular explanation links it to old Celtic symbols for the 'Three Graces' — honesty, fidelity and loyalty. During the 18th and 19th centuries, the heyday of droving, the Pigeons estate is said to have extended to 58 acres, serving drovers who brought livestock to markets at Wrexham and stopped for rest and refreshment. Today the Three Pigeons operates as a bar and accommodation business. Its offering centres on real ale and wines, served in a building that retains many original features — oak beams, open log fires and brassware — giving it a warm, traditional character. A distinctive practice is the serving of ale straight from casks in the cellars, which are cut from local country rock and are said to be ideal for keeping cask ale in excellent condition; a local potter has made two- and three-pint jugs specifically for this purpose. The pub also offers accommodation for guests. The business is run by Nik and Julia, who welcome visitors and have overseen its reopening. Opening hours are limited, with the pub open on Monday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday evenings, and closed on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. The inn also has a reputation for ghosts, with locals reporting sightings of an old man in an armchair by the fire and the mischievous doings of a young teenager. As a small rural pub, the Three Pigeons Inn is part of the traditional British pub sector, competing on atmosphere, local character and cask ale rather than scale. Its online presence is a simple official website providing history, contact details, opening hours and news.

The Three Pigeons Inn is a historic pub in Graigfechan, near Ruthin, Denbighshire, Wales. According to the pub's own history, a drover's alehouse and stead has been on the site since the 12th century, and the present building was rebuilt in 1777. Legend has it that Owain Glyndwr stopped over at the 'Pigeons' whilst on his way to parliament in Machynlleth. During the 18th and 19th centuries, the heyday of droving, the 'Pigeons' estate ran to 58 acres. Drovers taking their livestock to the markets at Wrexham would settle their animals and then take refreshment and rest at the inn. The name 'Three Pigeons Inn' is surrounded in some mystery; however, many believe it relates to the old Celtic symbols for the 'Three Graces' — honesty, fidelity and loyalty. The cellars at the 'Pigeons' are made from the local country rock and are ideal for keeping cask ale in excellent condition. The pub is reviving the unique tradition of serving ale straight from the casks in the cellar, a practice that has gone on at the 'Pigeons' for many hundreds of years. A local potter has made two- and three-pint jugs just for this purpose. As with most old buildings, especially pubs, the Three Pigeons can boast its fair share of ghosts — two for certain and possibly three. Many locals have experienced 'weird' goings on, sightings of an old man sitting in an armchair by the fire, and the mischievous doings of a young teenager. In recent times, the pub has been run by Nik and Julia, who have welcomed guests back after a period of closure. The inn continues to operate as a bar and accommodation business, offering real ale and wines in a traditional setting with oak beams, open log fires and brassware.

• 1777

  The Three Pigeons Inn was rebuilt.

• A drover's alehouse and stead has been on the site since the 12th century.

• During the 18th and 19th centuries, the 'Pigeons' estate ran to 58 acres.

• Nik & Julia welcome guests back to the Three Pigeons.

A historic, traditional village pub and inn offering real ale, wines and accommodation in rural Denbighshire, Wales.

• Real Ale

  Served straight from casks in the cellar.

• Wines

  A selection of wines available.

• Accommodation

  Rooms available for guests.

1. 1Three Pigeons Inn | Bar & Accommodationthreepigeonsinn.co.uk
2. 2History | Three Pigeons Innthreepigeonsinn.co.uk
3. 3Three Pigeons Inn - Wikidatawikidata.org